Camden Passage in London

Angel, a district inLondon, is full of little secret places, but by far the most interesting part of the area is Camden Passage. A higgledy-piggledy haven of market stalls, independent shops and cute little bars. Things change quickly around here. One minute there’s a guy selling vintage shoes, the next he’s moved on a there’s lots of vintage crockery in his place. But there are a few permanent features that deserve a mention. Here’s a little rundown of my favourite places:

The Elk in the Woods is a stunning little wine bar. A little bit rustic (expect your food to be served on a wooden chopping board) but if you can get yourself a seat outside, you’ll be very lucky. Grab a bottle and watch the world go by.

Frae is a tasty frozen yogurt place. Everything is organic and under about 200 calories – even with the chocolate sprinkles. It almost tastes like ice cream.

Looking for something with more calories? Paul A Young is the place in the area to buy your chocolates. It’s often regarded as the best chocolate shop in London, so pop in and check it out.

The Breakfast Club is always busy, but if you can get a table and don’t mind the queues out the door, then head here for a huge (if expensive) brekkie.

If you want be buy cool presents and interiors, head to Smug and do a bit of shopping. The market stalls are at their busiest on Wednesdays and Saturdays so if you’re looking to browse those are the best days. Sundays are fun as well, but everything closes pretty early (usually packed up by five) so bear that in mind if you want to have a proper browse.

There’s all sorts of little vintage stalls littered about the place, but head to Annie’s if you’re looking for something really special. Their vintage dresses aren’t cheap, but they’re exquisite and perfect for a special occasion.

And the one to avoid? Give Decorexi a miss unless you want to be yelled at by the very mean lady who runs the place. And if you do brave the shop, cheer yourself up with some flowers from the unassuming stall outside Angel station – they last for days.

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About the author

Sian is a freelance journalist who specialises in writing about entertainment and events in London. She can often be found lurking around cocktail bars and drinking too much tea in little cafes. She is best approached cautiously, with a piece of cake.